UFC on FUEL TV 4's Njokuani focused on own UFC career with brother not far behind

http://mmajunkie.comWith his own MMA career to deal with, 32-year-old lightweight Anthony Njokuani doesn’t have much free time to worry about how his little brother views him.

Still, the Las Vegas-based fighter wants to set a good enough example for Chidi “Chidi Bang Bang” Njokuani so his 22-year-old sibling can become the second member of the Nigerian-rooted family to fight for the UFC.

“I don’t worry about all of that (leading by example stuff),” the elder Njokuani told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio) this past week. “I get nervous when he’s fighting, but as far as us competing with each other to show we’re better than each other, we don’t really focus on that.”

“Everybody thinks it will be a standup battle, but once one person starts getting the best of them then they’re always going to go back to what they’re well-known for and what they’re more comfortable with,” Anthony said. “I think Rafael will try to take me down.”

Njokuani and Dos Anjos are part of the main card for UFC on FUEL TV 4, which takes place Wednesday at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. The event, with a main card on FUEL TV and prelims on Facebook, is headlined by a middleweight main event between Mark Munoz and Chris Weidman.

Njokuani originally was supposed to face Paul Taylor before an injury took him out. Now he has to be prepared for a slick Brazilian who is coming off a first-round submission victory over Kamal Shalorus at UFC on FUEL TV 3 in May.

“I really haven’t seen any of his fights,” admitted Njokuani, who is 3-2 in his past five fights after claiming a unanimous decision victory over John Makdessi at UFC 145 in April.

“My coaches actually watch the video and then we work on what we need to work on in the gym,” Njokuani said. “I allow them to do that and then if I ever need to watch a video, I’ll ask them for it. But they’re the ones who mostly watch the video and work on the game plan.”

If he had his way, Njokuani would keep things on the feet. Bbut the Nigerian-born Muay Thai specialist is prepared for wherever Dos Anjos takes the bout. He’s also physically ready after utilizing a nutritionist for the past couple fights.

“I’m eating a lot better now,” said Njokuani, who earned the nicknamed “Ocean” for his massive water consumption. “The same method we’ve used before is the same method we’re going to keep using (to cut weight). It allows me to stay strong and not be so drained and dehydrated.”

While Njokuani’s three-a-day workouts keep him thirsty, he can no longer spar with his little brother, who is two inches taller and a weight class heavier than him.

“Before he got ginormous, he was my training partner,” Anthony said with a laugh. “Now I actually work with people more my size and height.”

Because of both his physical tools and his maturation, Anthony believes Chidi is close to getting an invitation to fight in the octagon.

“I think he’s pretty close – a couple more wins and he’s there,” Anthony said of his brother, who is on a three-fight win streak after his most recent victory over Bobby Cooper at RFA 3 last month.

“Especially the way he’s improving with his wrestling and his jiujitsu.”

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